Polite Society’s Social Diary – October

Stuck in a rut? Need some inspiration? May we suggest a ticket to SXSW Sydney, an annual five-day celebration of the cutting-edge in business, marketing, fashion, music and leadership. Drawing speakers from all over the world, the festival promises a glimpse into the near and distant future, with a definite emphasis this year on AI, given it’s everyone’s favourite frenemy right now. Our top pick? GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan, talking about what happened when the devastating LA fires reached his street – and how he witnessed first-hand the power of the platform he's run for the past five years. Various venues, Darling Harbour and Chippendale, October 13-19 

In Hans Christian Anderson’s cheery children’s tale, poor little Karen is forced to dance forever in her beautiful red shoes. In Meow Meow’s interpretation, debuting in Sydney this month, the renowned cabaret artist and singer takes a different slant, asking what would have happened if Karen was never able to dance at all. Could she be saved? And can the world? One of our most intelligent, outré performers, Meow Meow creates unmissable theatre – book now. Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes, Belvoir St Theatre, October 4-November 9 (followed by a run at Melbourne’s Malthouse)

You know it’s really spring when Sculpture By The Sea appears along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. This year’s exhibition features 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world – and it has only been able to go ahead thanks to a last-minute plea for public donations and a sponsorship deal. Here’s hoping this magnificent spectacle can continue; best to make the most of it this month before it moves to Cottesloe next year. Bondi, October 17-November 3

Concert pianist Paul Wittgenstein had his right arm amputated after being shot in World War I, but determined not to let it derail his career. Instead, he commissioned some of the greatest 20^th century composers to create pieces for the left hand only – one of the most famous being Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the left hand. Now Nicholas McCarthy, a champion of left hand-alone repertoire, is playing Ravel’s unique concerto, along with the world premiere of James Henry’s new work for the MSO. Impressions of Paris, Hamer Hall, October 23 & 25

Like Wittgenstein (whose brother Ludwig tends to get most of the attention), Griffin Dunne comes from a famous family. His father was the novelist and journalist Dominick Dunne (a Vanity Fair regular in its Graydon Carter heyday); his aunt was Joan Didion. And his best mate? Only Carrie Fisher. Unsurprisingly, Griffin’s memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club, makes entertaining reading, exploring what it means to come from such a storied background. We imagine he’ll be just as fascinating in conversation. Melbourne Capitol, October 14; State Library of NSW, October 21

It's a good month for dance in Melbourne: the Australian Ballet performs the powerful classical ballet Manon (which received five stars from the SMH), while also staging Dance X, a two-week festival of movement. The Playhouse hosts two distinctive shows, each bringing together multiple works. In the first week of the festival, Show 1 features companies such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Australian Ballet performing works by George Balanchine and Lucy Guerin. Show 2, playing in the second week, features Bangarra Dance Theatre, West Australian Ballet Company, Stephanie Lake Company and The Australian Ballet performing a new work by Tim Harbour. Outside the Playhouse, there are other performances, including Dance Swamp workshops for kids. Manon, Regent Theatre, October 10-22; Dance X, Arts Centre Melbourne, October 8-19

And finally, we can’t let you go without reminding you it’s Halloween. If shepherding (or avoiding) sugar-sated children around the streets isn’t sufficiently scary, we suggest viewing Kubrick’s classic The Shining at the Opera House. It’s 45 years old now, but Jack Nicholson remains as disturbing as ever in this extended version of the 1980 horror movie, recently restored to its full and frightening glory.